Patents by Inventor Kenneth R. Smith

Kenneth R. Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9861739
    Abstract: An apparatus for accessing the lumen of a vessel. The apparatus includes a handheld device and a cartridge. The handheld device includes an imaging device attachment utilized to secure an image capturing instrument, an arm coupled to the imaging device attachment. The cartridge includes a sheath, needle or guidewire coupled to the cartridge. The sheath or needle extends to the insertion depth when fully advanced, thereby allowing the sheath, needle, or guidewire to access the lumen of a vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: HOUSTON MEDICAL ROBOTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffery J. Sheldon, Kenneth R. Smith, Bruce W. Dannecker, Joseph M. Lacey, Katherine E. Goodwin
  • Publication number: 20170307431
    Abstract: A self-filling graduated cylinder system for efficiently filling a graduated cylinder with a chemical solution. The self-filling graduated cylinder system generally includes a graduated cylinder having an interior, an upper end, an upper opening in the upper end a lower end opposite of the upper end, and a check valve attached to the graduated cylinder near the lower end of the graduated cylinder. The check valve is adapted to allow a liquid chemical to flow upwardly through the check valve into the graduated cylinder and to prevent the liquid chemical within the interior of the graduated cylinder from flowing downwardly through the check valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Krause, Kenneth R. Smith
  • Patent number: 9726626
    Abstract: A quantum mechanical measurement device is provided. A spin ensemble is provided. A first light source provides a first light at a first wavelength, wherein the first light source is positioned to provide light into the spin ensemble. A detector is positioned to detect light from the spin ensemble. A modulator modulates absorption of the first light from the first light source by the spin ensemble at a frequency greater than a Larmor frequency of the spin ensemble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Geometrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Smith, Krzysztof Kiersnowski
  • Patent number: 9726733
    Abstract: An optical magnetometer is disclosed. The device includes a cell filled with a substance that has a magnetic moment, such as an alkali metal. First and second light sources, typically diode lasers, illuminate the cell, one optically pumping the cell and one probing the cell. The two diode lasers are set to emit light at two distinct wavelengths, one set to drive a first transition and the other set to drive a second transition within the substance filling the cell. The probe laser light transiting the cell is used to modulate the frequency of the probe laser. The two beams of light are polarized with an ellipticity of at least 0.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Geometrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Smith, Krzysztof Kiersnowski
  • Publication number: 20170216785
    Abstract: A chemical metering system for providing efficient access and replacement of chemical metering devices. The chemical metering system generally includes a chemical injector, a first tube fluidly connected to the chemical injector, a second tube adapted to be fluidly connected to a chemical supply, a releasable tube coupling removably and fluidly connected to the first tube and the second tube, and a metering device is adapted for controlling a flowrate of liquid chemical into the chemical injector from the chemical supply. The metering device is accessible for repair or replacement by removing the releasable tube coupling from either the first tube or the second tube for efficient access and replacement of the metering device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Krause, Kenneth R. Smith, Vladimir Chernin
  • Patent number: 9623385
    Abstract: A chemical metering system for providing efficient access and replacement of chemical metering devices. The chemical metering system generally includes a chemical injector, a first tube fluidly connected to the chemical injector, a second tube adapted to be fluidly connected to a chemical supply, a releasable tube coupling removably and fluidly connected to the first tube and the second tube, and a metering device is adapted for controlling a flowrate of liquid chemical into the chemical injector from the chemical supply. The metering device is accessible for repair or replacement by removing the releasable tube coupling from either the first tube or the second tube for efficient access and replacement of the metering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Cleaning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Krause, Kenneth R. Smith, Vladimir Chernin
  • Patent number: 9599363
    Abstract: An air curtain (18) for an air handler (12) is disclosed for moving to block air from passing through selected cooling coils (14). The cooling coils (14) are separated into separate sections (1-4) along a lineal direction (22), with the separate sections (1-4) connected to respective compressors (52), condensers (54), and expansion valves (56). The air curtain (18) is located on one side of the cooling coils (14) and furled into a housing (16) to provide full flow airflow through all the separate cooling coil sections (1-4). The air curtain (18) unfurls along the lineal direction (22) to block airflow (46) through selected sections (1-4) of the cooling coils (14). Position sensors (24-30) are mounted in registration with edge regions (32) of the cooling coil sections (1-4) and detect when a terminal end (20) of the air curtain (18) is proximate to respective ones of the positions sensors (24-30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NexRev Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Smith, David E Dellinger
  • Publication number: 20160334465
    Abstract: The contacts of a probing apparatus are elastically supported on a replaceable coupon and electrically interconnected with conductors on a membrane or a space transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Smith
  • Patent number: 9476748
    Abstract: A self-filling graduated cylinder system for efficiently filling a graduated cylinder with a chemical solution. The self-filling graduated cylinder system generally includes a graduated cylinder having an interior, an upper end, an upper opening in the upper end a lower end opposite of the upper end, and a check valve attached to the graduated cylinder near the lower end of the graduated cylinder. The check valve is adapted to allow a liquid chemical to flow upwardly through the check valve into the graduated cylinder and to prevent the liquid chemical within the interior of the graduated cylinder from flowing downwardly through the check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Cleaning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Krause, Kenneth R. Smith
  • Patent number: 9470753
    Abstract: Systems and methods for testing a device under test (DUT) that includes a low power output driver. The methods include providing an input signal to the DUT. The low power output driver is configured to generate a data signal responsive to receipt of the input signal by the DUT and provide the data signal to a signal analyzer via a data signal transmission line. The methods further include determining an expected data signal to be received from the low power output driver and charging at least a portion of the data signal transmission line with a co-drive output signal that is based, at least in part, on the expected data signal. The methods further include receiving a composite data signal with the signal analyzer. The systems include probe heads with a plurality of data signal transmission lines and a plurality of co-drive conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Bock, Kenneth R. Smith
  • Patent number: 9427207
    Abstract: An apparatus is utilized for accessing the lumen of a vessel. The apparatus includes a main body and a disposable cartridge. The main body includes a imaging device attachment, wherein the imaging device attachment is utilized to secure an image capturing instrument to the main body; a cartridge carrier coupled to the imaging device attachment, wherein the cartridge carrier is adjustable to achieve a target insertion depth; and a first motor coupled to the cartridge carrier, wherein the first motor adjust the cartridge carrier to achieve the target insertion depth. The disposable cartridge is attached to the cartridge carrier and houses a sheath, needle, or guidewire to be inserted into the vessel to the target insertion depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: HOUSTON MEDICAL ROBOTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffery J. Sheldon, Kenneth R. Smith, Bruce W. Dannecker, Joseph M. Lacey, Katherine E. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 9429638
    Abstract: The contacts of a probing apparatus are elastically supported on a replaceable coupon and electrically interconnected with conductors on a membrane or a space transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Smith
  • Patent number: 9420992
    Abstract: A method for accessing the lumen of a vessel may utilize a reusable handheld device. The reusable handheld device includes an imaging device attachment utilized to secure an image capturing instrument, an arm coupled to the imaging device attachment, and a depth scale coupled to the arm, wherein the depth scale provides a scale indicating an insertion depth. A disposable cartridge attaches to the reusable handheld device. The disposable cartridge includes a sheath, needle or guidewire coupled to the disposable cartridge. The sheath or needle extends to the insertion depth when fully advanced, thereby allowing the sheath, needle, or guidewire to access the lumen of a vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: HOUSTON MEDICAL ROBOTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffery J. Sheldon, Kenneth R. Smith, Bruce W. Dannecker, Joseph M. Lacey, Katherine E. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 9372214
    Abstract: High frequency interconnect structures, electronic assemblies that utilize high frequency interconnect structures, and methods of operating the same. The high frequency interconnect structures include a plurality of dielectric waveguides and are configured to communicatively connect a plurality of transmitters with a plurality of receivers and to convey a plurality of signals therebetween. The plurality of signals may include a plurality of electromagnetic waves and may have a frequency of at least 200 GHz. The high frequency interconnect structures further may be configured to decrease a potential for crosstalk between a first signal that is conveyed by a first dielectric waveguide of the plurality of dielectric waveguides and a second signal that is conveyed by a second dielectric waveguide of the plurality of dielectric waveguides, such as through control of a passband of the first dielectric waveguide relative to the second dielectric waveguide and/or the use of a crosstalk mitigation structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. Strid, Richard L. Campbell, Kenneth R. Smith, K. Reed Gleason, Kooho Jung
  • Publication number: 20160054157
    Abstract: A chemical metering system for providing efficient access and replacement of chemical metering devices. The chemical metering system generally includes a chemical injector, a first tube fluidly connected to the chemical injector, a second tube adapted to be fluidly connected to a chemical supply, a releasable tube coupling removably and fluidly connected to the first tube and the second tube, and a metering device is adapted for controlling a flowrate of liquid chemical into the chemical injector from the chemical supply. The metering device is accessible for repair or replacement by removing the releasable tube coupling from either the first tube or the second tube for efficient access and replacement of the metering device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: David R. Krause, Kenneth R. Smith, Vladimir Chernin
  • Publication number: 20150301082
    Abstract: Resilient electrical interposers that may be utilized to form a plurality of electrical connections between a first device and a second device, as well as systems that may utilize the resilient electrical interposers and methods of use and/or fabrication thereof. The resilient electrical interposers may include a resilient dielectric body with a plurality of electrical conduits contained therein. The plurality of electrical conduits may be configured to provide a plurality of electrical connections between a first surface of the electrical interposer and/or the resilient dielectric body and a second, opposed, surface of the electrical interposer and/or the resilient dielectric body. The systems and methods disclosed herein may provide for improved vertical compliance, improved contact force control, and/or improved dimensional stability of the resilient electrical interposers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Smith, Mike Jolley, Eric Strid, Peter Hanaway, K. Reed Gleason, Koby L. Duckworth
  • Publication number: 20150231021
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for providing a negative-pressure therapy system are described. The system includes a first dressing, a second dressing, and a negative-pressure source. The negative-pressure source includes a first pump and a second pump. A first valve is fluidly coupled to the first dressing and the first pump to selectively permit fluid communication to the first dressing. A second valve is fluidly coupled to the second dressing and the second pump to selectively permit fluid communication to the second dressing. A cross-over valve is fluidly coupled to the first pump, the first valve, the second pump, and the second valve. The cross-over valve permits fluid communication between the first pump and the second valve and/or the second pump and the first valve. A controller is communicatively coupled to the first pump, the second pump, the first valve, the second valve, and the cross-over valve for operating the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Smith, Daniel W. DeKruif, Dave E. Ball, James A. Luckemeyer
  • Publication number: 20150216556
    Abstract: An apparatus for accessing the lumen of a vessel includes a handle providing a controller for operating the apparatus, an image capturing instrument secured to the handle, a display secured to the handle, wherein images captured by the image capturing instrument are displayed on the display, and a robotic platform coupled to the handle. The robotic platform includes a body, a first motor coupled to the body, wherein the first motor adjust the robotic platform to achieve a target insertion depth, and a cartridge carrier pivotally coupled to the body, wherein the robotic platform is adjustable to achieve the target insertion depth. The apparatus also includes a disposable cartridge attached to the cartridge carrier. The disposable cartridge includes a needle slideably coupled to the disposable cartridge, wherein the needle slides to extend to the target insertion depth, and a sheath slidably coupled to the disposable cartridge, wherein the sheath slides to extend to the target insertion depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Houston Medical Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery J. Sheldon, Kenneth R. Smith, Bruce W. Dannecker, Joseph M. Lacey, Katherine E. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 9099449
    Abstract: Resilient electrical interposers that may be utilized to form a plurality of electrical connections between a first device and a second device, as well as systems that may utilize the resilient electrical interposers and methods of use and/or fabrication thereof. The resilient electrical interposers may include a resilient dielectric body with a plurality of electrical conduits contained therein. The plurality of electrical conduits may be configured to provide a plurality of electrical connections between a first surface of the electrical interposer and/or the resilient dielectric body and a second, opposed, surface of the electrical interposer and/or the resilient dielectric body. The systems and methods disclosed herein may provide for improved vertical compliance, improved contact force control, and/or improved dimensional stability of the resilient electrical interposers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Smith, Mike Jolley, Eric Strid, Peter Hanaway, K. Reed Gleason, Koby L. Duckworth
  • Patent number: 9033880
    Abstract: An apparatus for accessing the lumen of a vessel includes a handle providing a controller for operating the apparatus, an image capturing instrument secured to the handle, a display secured to the handle, wherein images captured by the image capturing instrument are displayed on the display, and a robotic platform coupled to the handle. The robotic platform includes a body, a first motor coupled to the body, wherein the first motor adjust the robotic platform to achieve a target insertion depth, and a cartridge carrier pivotally coupled to the body, wherein the robotic platform is adjustable to achieve the target insertion depth. The apparatus also includes a disposable cartridge attached to the cartridge carrier. The disposable cartridge includes a needle slideably coupled to the disposable cartridge, wherein the needle slides to extend to the target insertion depth, and a sheath slideably coupled to the disposable cartridge, wherein the sheath slides to extend to the target insertion depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Houston Medical Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery J. Sheldon, Kenneth R. Smith, Bruce W. Dannecker, Joseph M. Lacey, Katherine E. Goodwin